Much of the last few days have been dominated with talk of the Chicago Blackhawks looking to move salary to make way for the signing of Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane.

The biggest of the rumors had been that the Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs had been discussing a trade which would involve Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel and a draft pick for a player/prospect in the Leafs system.

Yesterday there were whispers from some rumor sites that the player the Leafs would part with in a trade would be former first round pick Jiri Tlusty.

Today however, according to the Toronto Sun , talks between to two teams have stalled and that a trade is likely dead.

This is not surprising to me as I really never saw why the Leafs would want Sopel as he would join an already crowded blue line (albeit an injured one) and why the Blackhawks would be willing to give up a high pick just to move Sopel now.

Now that's not saying that I don't think Sopel could eventually be moved this season but I would imagine that the 'Hawks could make a deal without having to give up high draft picks or prospects.

Even though this deal has been deemed dead, don't expect the trade rumors surrounding the Blackhawks to end anytime soon.

You should actually expect more and more to mount as we inch closer and closer to an announcement of the Blackhawks signing of the big three.